1
as in negative
marked by opposition or ill will
the suggestions for change were given a hostile reception by some of the longtime employees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unfavorable
opposed to one's interests
the company's president vows to fight the hostile takeover by the giant corporation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in enemy
one that is hostile toward another
reports of hostiles in the area kept the settlers on edge
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hostile
Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2025
The Quiet Place series stars Krasinski’s wife Emily Blunt as Evelyn Abbott, protecting her family (including Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe) from a race of hostile alien creatures who hunt only via sound.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The unanimous ruling is particularly remarkable given the current hostile political climate in the United States and other industrial nations around climate change and responses to it.
—Daimeon Shanks-Dumont, The Conversation, 1 Aug. 2025
Without the digital encryption that secures our digital world, everyone from hostile foreign states to terrorist cells can access government and military information, as well as our personal health records and bank accounts.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hostile
Adjective
Cambodian officials say their soldiers approached the Thai position with friendly intentions to offer post-fighting greetings, while Thai officials said the Cambodians appeared to have hostile intent and entered what Thailand considers its territory, so were taken prisoner.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2025
The Quiet Place series stars Krasinski’s wife Emily Blunt as Evelyn Abbott, protecting her family (including Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe) from a race of hostile alien creatures who hunt only via sound.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The unanimous ruling is particularly remarkable given the current hostile political climate in the United States and other industrial nations around climate change and responses to it.
—Daimeon Shanks-Dumont, The Conversation, 1 Aug. 2025
Without the digital encryption that secures our digital world, everyone from hostile foreign states to terrorist cells can access government and military information, as well as our personal health records and bank accounts.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for hostile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hostile
Adjective
-
At these meetings, all manner of data were discussed and analyzed, resulting in strategies to combat negative trends.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
15 Aug. 2025
-
The approval margin reached its most negative on April 29 at -7.2 percentage points, which fell around Trump's 100-day mark.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
By August, those numbers had shifted to 33 percent favorable and 65 percent unfavorable.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Unlike in the United States, statistical agency commissioners in these countries cannot be fired simply for producing unfavorable economic data.—
Brent Dykes,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Bomarc rockets had jets designed to propel a W40 nuclear warhead into high-flying USSR aircraft, which would detonate in the sky, showering the earth with radioactive debris, neutralizing quite a few enemies of American freedom.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Strategic bombings are a critical component of modern warfare, crippling supply lines, disrupting operations, and breaking enemy morale.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Studies show that drinking prune juice can reduce constipation symptoms without triggering adverse side effects like gas and loose stools.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The unexpected adverse media campaign that was launched by those who resigned on 24 March 2025 has caused incalculable damage and offers a glimpse of the unacceptable behaviors displayed in private.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
These tools can help detect harmful symbols, explicit imagery or copyright violations before content is published.—
Anees Ali Khan,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
In a time when transgender rights are under threat via a backlash spurred on by harmful theology within church spaces, the call for inclusion — despite one’s gender identity, expression, or sexuality — is both a rarity and necessity within the traditional gospel and Christian world.—
Meagan Jordan,
Rolling Stone,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As the other undefeated team, Canada outscored its three opponents 19-4, but had to rely on some third-period outbursts to run up those offensive numbers.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
On the ball, Maresca’s preference is for his side to build with short passes from his goalkeeper, often with the aim of baiting opponents into a press that creates space higher up the pitch.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Pritzker has been antagonistic to the Trump administration’s immigration efforts.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
26 July 2025
-
His aggressively antagonistic relationship with sister Dee usually devolves into a battle of who can hurt the other the most.—
Declan Gallagher,
EW.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Wednesday returns to the Gothic halls of Nevermore Academy, where fresh foes and woes await.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
7 Aug. 2025
-
But Birmingham are expected to be one of the clubs in contention for a play-offs spot, perhaps alongside former League One foes Wrexham.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hostile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hostile. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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